U.S. patent number 5,044,977 [Application Number 07/392,934] was granted by the patent office on 1991-09-03 for electrical connector having pressure contacts.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Societe d'Exploitation des Procedes Marechal (SEPM) S.A.. Invention is credited to Henry Vindigni.
United States Patent |
5,044,977 |
Vindigni |
September 3, 1991 |
Electrical connector having pressure contacts
Abstract
An electrical connector having a socket provided with pressure
contacts. A plug is provided which is at least partially inserted
in the socket. The connector is provided with a latching mechanism
formed of a hook provided on the plug or socket which engages a
spur provided on the socket or plug, respectively, when the plug is
inserted in the socket. Either the socket or the plug, or both, are
provided with at least one hump which projects from an interior
surface of the plug or an exterior surface of the socket.
Inventors: |
Vindigni; Henry (Alfortville,
FR) |
Assignee: |
Societe d'Exploitation des Procedes
Marechal (SEPM) S.A. (Paris, FR)
|
Family
ID: |
9357305 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/392,934 |
Filed: |
July 28, 1989 |
PCT
Filed: |
November 25, 1988 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/FR88/00580 |
371
Date: |
July 28, 1989 |
102(e)
Date: |
July 28, 1989 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO89/05532 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
June 15, 1989 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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Nov 30, 1987 [FR] |
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87 16574 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
439/374; 439/660;
439/345 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/629 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/629 (20060101); H01R 013/64 (); H01R 004/50 ();
H01R 017/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;439/374,376,378,586,593,597,660,351,352,357,358,736 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2510437 |
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Sep 1975 |
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DE |
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2212655 |
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Jul 1974 |
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FR |
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2270696 |
|
Dec 1975 |
|
FR |
|
2365872 |
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Apr 1978 |
|
FR |
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2422270 |
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Nov 1979 |
|
FR |
|
2531577 |
|
Feb 1984 |
|
FR |
|
1232168 |
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May 1971 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Schwartz; Larry I.
Assistant Examiner: Daulton; Julie R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sandler, Greenblum &
Bernstein
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electrical connector having pressure contacts, comprising a
socket provided with pressure contacts biased in an axial direction
of said contacts, a plug adapted to be inserted, at least partially
in said socket, said socket and said plug having a longitudinal
axis when connected together, and latching means for attaching said
socket and said plug, comprising a hook provided on one of either
said socket or said plug, said hook adapted to be in contact with a
spur provided on either one of said plug or said socket of said
connector, said latching means being located on an outer surface of
said connector wherein staid plug and/or said socket comprise at
least one hump which projects slightly with respect to an exterior
smooth mating surface of said plug or an interior smooth mating
surface of said socket, said at least one hump contacting said
smooth mating surface of said plug or socket, respectively, when
said plug is inserted in said socket, said at least one hump being
adapted to substantially prevent misalignment of said plug and said
socket with respect to said longitudinal axis.
2. An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said one
or more humps of said socket and/or said plug are positioned in a
plane, passing through a longitudinal axis of said plug and of said
socket substantially through said latching means.
3. An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said one
or more humps of said socket and/or said plug is provided towards a
posterior portion thereof which is inserted in said socket and on a
side common to said latching means.
4. An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said plug
is provided with at least one of said humps towards an anterior
portion which is inserted in said socket and on a side
diametrically opposite with respect to said latching means.
5. An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said
socket is provided with at least one of said humps towards an
anterior portion, in which is inserted said plug an on a side
common to said latching means.
6. An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said
socket is provided with at least one of said humps towards a
posterior portion in which is inserted said plug and on a side
diametrically opposite to said latching means.
7. An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said
pressure contacts are biased in said axial direction toward an end
in which is inserted said plug.
8. An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said
pressure contacts are adapted to exert a pressure against pins of
said plug when inserted in said socket.
9. An electrical connector comprising:
a socket provided with a plurality of pressure contacts and means
for biasing said pressure contacts in an axial direction of said
contacts;
a plug provided with a plurality of pins, said plug adapted to be
inserted in said socket, said socket and said plug having a
longitudinal axis when connected;
means for latching said plug and said socket together, located on
an outside surface of said connector;
at least one hump formed on at least one of either an exterior
smooth mating surface of said plug or an interior smooth mating
surface of said socket, said hump being adapted to oppose said
smooth mating surface thereby substantially preventing misalignment
of said plug and said socket with respect to said longitudinal
axis.
10. An electrical connector according to claim 9, wherein said
means for biasing is a helicoidal spring.
11. An electrical connector according to claim 10, wherein said
latching means further comprises a hook pivotably mounted on said
socket and a spur provided on said plug, said hook adapted to
engage with said spur when said plug is inserted in said
socket.
12. An electrical connector according to claim 11, wherein said at
least one hump is positioned in a plane which passes through a
longitudinal axis of said plug and said socket, and substantially
through said latching means.
13. An electrical connector according to claim 12, wherein said at
least one hump of said socket and/or said plug is provided towards
a posterior portion thereof which is inserted in said socket and on
a side common to said latching means.
14. An electrical connector according to claim 12, wherein said
plug is provided with at least one of said humps towards an
anterior portion which is inserted in said socket and on a side
diametrically opposite with respect to said latching means.
15. An electrical connector according to claim 12, wherein said
socket is provided with at least one of said humps towards an
anterior portion, in which is inserted said plug an on side common
to said latching means.
16. An electrical connector according to claim 12, wherein said
socket is provided with at least one of said humps towards a
posterior portion in which is inserted said plug and on a side
diametrically opposite to said latching means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an electrical connector having pressure
contacts and more particularly to an improvement for such an
electrical connector.
2. Discussion of Background and Relevant Information
The electrical connectors of this type comprise a socket provided
with pressure contacts provided, for example, with a braid
surrounded by a spring, as mentioned in French Patent 2,365,872 in
the name of Applicant, or constituted by rocker elements as in
French patent 2,422,270, or French patent 2,531,577 and its
certificate of addition, likewise in the name of the same
applicant, and a plug adapted to be inserted at least partially in
the socket.
By virtue of the pressure exerted by the contacts and also that
exerted by an ejection spring generally provided between the plug
and the socket, so as to allow for a quick break (to avoid in
particular the electric arc of breaking the circuit, etc.), it is
necessary that the plug be retained in the socket by a latching
means.
The latching means mentioned above is generally constituted by a
hook provided on the socket and which is adapted to be in contact
with a spur provided on the plug.
The hook is generally rockable by means of a pressure button.
These connectors may or may not comprise one or two safety discs,
as disclosed, for example in French patents 2,212,655 and
2,270,696, in the name of the same applicant.
The insertion of connectors provided with at least one safety disc
generally occurs in three steps: a pre-insertion axial movement, a
rotation to align the respective contacts (the one or more discs
thus undergoing this rotation), and a second axial pressure, until
latching. The proper angular position of the plug and of the socket
at the beginning of the maneuvers, as well as the translational and
rotational guidance, are assured, for example, by a bayonet type
system.
The connectors can, if desired, also comprise a sealing joint
positioned between a portion of the plug and a portion of the
socket.
It is desirable to provide only a single hook, so as to be able to
allow for a sudden break of the current by relying upon it to free
it, the contact springs and the ejection spring assuring the said
break by sudden spacing of the plug and of the socket, the said
plug being however, prevented from separating completely by the
guidance means provided, as explained above (previously cited
bayonet system, for example). In effect, a plurality of hooks would
require a delicate manipulation if one desires that they be all
freed in a synchronous manner so as to obtain the previously
mentioned sudden break.
Under the effect of the pressure exerted, as explained above, by
the contacts and by the ejection spring, the plug rests on the
latching hook. It results necessarily that the plug is biased to
turn around its retention point in a plane passing through its
longitudinal axis and through the hook. In addition to a poor
aesthetic appearance, the misalignment of the plug and of the
socket plays a negative role, particularly on the efficacity of the
contacts achieved (misalignment of the contacts of the plug with
respect to those of socket), on the wear of the conductive braids,
and on the sealing which can only be weakened by nonuniform
crushing of the joint.
The solutions to this problem have been sought and studied for a
long time.
To completely eliminate the above disadvantages, it has in
particular been envisioned to multiply the number of latching
means. Thus, certain electrical connectors comprise four hooks, or
two hooks (with an insertion ring and/or bayonet system).
However, although these solutions may be appropriate for certain
applications, they eliminate the advantage of having a single hook,
as explained above.
This is why it has appeared until today, that the presence of a
single hook necessarily had to be associated with the disadvantage
of axial misalignment of the plug and of the socket. Given this
situation, the research has been directed to two improvements: the
limitation of inclination and the adaptation of this
inclination.
To limit the inclination, it has been attempted to adjust, as best
as possible, the diameters of the plug and of the socket, as well
as the dimensions of the guidance means. However, it is clear that
the tolerances of manufacturers resist the total elimination of a
certain play between the plug and the socket.
With a view to adapting to the inclination, one positions the
socket on a vertical wall, taking care preferably, that the hook be
positioned upwardly, in a manner such that the weight of the cable
connecting the plug makes it possible to compensate at least in
part the said inclination.
With respect to the sealing, it has also been imagined to provide a
joint which is thicker and/or has a lip and/or further has a
nonconstant cross section.
Finally, one has also worked on the aesthetic aspects, by providing
a rounding or an inclination of the surface of the socket, on the
side of the plug.
It is clear that all of the means of limitation or adaptation
mentioned above are gimmicks that do not resolve the question.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The inventor has in particular achieved in overcoming the
prejudgment that a single hook necessarily caused inclination.
The electrical connector conceived by the inventor to resolve the
problem posed is remarkable in that the plug and/or the socket
comprises one hump which projects slightly with respect to the
exterior surface of the plug or respectively, interior to the
socket.
Preferably, the one or more humps of the socket and/or the plug are
positioned in a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the
plug and of the socket and substantially through the latching
means.
There exists a plurality of embodiments which are possible.
According to one of the embodiments, the one or at least one of the
humps of the plug is provided to the posterior portion thereof
which is embedded in the socket and on the side of the latching
means.
According to another embodiment, the one or at least one of the
humps of the plug is provided towards the anterior portion which
embeds in the socket and on the side diametrically opposed with
respect to the latching means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the same way, for at least one of the humps formed on the
socket, one preferred embodiment envisions providing towards the
anterior portion in which is embedded the plug and on the side of
the latching means, while according to another embodiment, the hump
is provided in the contrary towards the posterior portion in which
is embedded the plug and on the side diametrically opposed to the
latching means.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention will be better understood with reference to the
description which will follow and with reference to the annexed
drawings which schematically represent an elevation with breakaway
and partial cross section, a plug and a socket according to the
invention.
FIGS. 1-4 represent four different embodiments according to the
invention, the connector being shown before insertion of the plug
in the socket, and
FIGS. 5 and 6 show the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 after
insertion.
FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a plug 1 adapted to be inserted in part in
socket 2.
Plug 1 is provided with contact pins such as 3a, 3b, 3c and the
socket with opposing contacts such as 4a, 4b, 4c.
The number and arrangement of the pins 3a-3c and of contacts 4a-4c
depend obviously on the nature of the current to be transmitted. It
is clear, also, as the drawings show, that the contacts 4a-4c are
pressure end contacts constituted in a conventional manner by a
conductor braid, a contact head, and a helicoidal spring
surrounding the said braid, each contact being positioned in an
appropriate housing in an insulated block 5 of socket 2.
As was said above, the plug and the socket are provided with means
for guiding the insertion and means for retention (not shown) such
as bayonet systems, for example. Furthermore, the socket and/or the
plug can, of course, comprise one or more safety discs adapted to
mask before insertion the contacts of the socket and/or the pins of
the plug. Likewise, an ejection spring is in general provided for
the reasons stated above.
However, so as to simplify the drawings, the connector according to
the invention comprises only a minimum number of elements, it being
understood, furthermore, that the invention applies also to this
particularly simplified type.
The socket 2 comprises furthermore a hook 6, which is pivotably
mounted around the axis 7 and which is adapted to be placed in
contact with a spur 8 provided on the plug, as seen in the drawings
(see particularly FIGS. 5 and 6).
A hook 6 is biased in the position shown in the drawings by a
compression spring 9 while a press button 10 forming a lever allows
by simple pressure to pivot the hook 6 against the bias of said
compression spring 9. Furthermore, socket 2 is generally adapted to
be in part embedded in a vertical wall and in this case, the hook 6
is then generally positioned upwardly on the (top of the
socket).
Bearing 11 shown in the drawings is adapted to receive in a
journalled fashion, a cover which is biased to closure by an
appropriate spring and which is adapted to cover in a conventional
manner the socket in rest.
The plug is furthermore provided with a joint 12 adapted to tighten
on a front edge 13 of the socket at the end of the insertion
maneuvers, as will be explained below (FIGS. 5 and 6).
FIG. 1 illustrates a plug 1 provided with two humps, 111 and 112,
which project towards the exterior (for a better marking with
respect to the humps, the hundreths number shows the number of the
figure and the tenths number is the reference of the plug or
respectively, of the socket on which it is provided). These two
humps are provided in a plane passing through the longitudinal axis
of the plug and of the socket and substantially through the
latching means 6 and 8. This arrangement is furthermore utilized in
the other embodiments shown.
However, the hump 111 is provided, as is shown in FIG. 1, towards
the posterior portion of the plug which must be embedded in the
socket and on the side of the spur 8, while the hump 112 is on the
contrary provided toward the anterior portion and on the side
diametrically opposed to the spur 8.
FIG. 2 shows an embodiment wherein the plug comprises only a single
hump 211 of the type 111 in FIG. 1.
In FIG. 3, the plug also comprises a hump 311 of the same type as
111 and 211, but here the socket 2 is provided with an interior
hump 321 provided towards the posterior portion in which is
inserted the plug and on the side diametrically opposite to the
hook.
In FIG. 4, only the socket is provided with humps 421 and 422, the
later being equivalent to the hump 321 in FIG. 3, while the hump
421 is provided towards the anterior portion in which is inserted
the plug and on the side of hook 6.
In fact, there exist a large number of possible embodiments. If one
limits oneself to the preferred positions such as 111, 211, 311 (at
the posterior and side spur) and 112 (anterior and opposite) for
the plug and 421 (anterior and side hook), 321, 422 (posterior and
opposite side) for the socket, certain possible and preferred
embodiments are not shown. It is thus, for example, that the plug 1
of the FIG. 1 can comprise only hump 112, while socket 2, still in
FIG. 1, can in this case comprise or not comprise a hump of the
type 421 (FIG. 4). Likewise, for a plug 1 like that of FIG. 4
(without hump), socket 2 could have only one of humps 421 and
422.
However, to facilitate the insertion, it appears preferable that
the hump of the plug be arranged as shown at 111, 211 and 311,
while a hump of socket 2 will preferably be of the type 321 or 422,
such that the embodiments of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are particularly
advantageous.
In effect, the embodiment to FIG. 3 provides an easy introduction
of the plug (hump at the posterior portion of the plug and a good
equilibrium (hump opposite hump in the socket), while the
embodiment of FIG. 2 is particularly simple, by offering
furthermore the advantage of a plug which can be utilized with the
previously existing sockets.
The insertion maneuvers depend on the guidance means provided which
require, for example, a first translation, a rotation, and a final
translation. In a particularly simple system, it is possible to
imagine only an axial pressure and one then passes from FIGS. 1 and
2 to FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively.
It is clear that at the end of their extent, hook 6, which pivots
first towards the exterior (by virtue of its shape) under the
effect of spur 8 and against the bias of spring 9, then latches the
assembly by folding to the rear of the said spur 8 under the effect
of spring 9. An unlatching is easily obtained by pressing on button
10.
As FIGS. 5 and 6 show, the plug and the socket are perfectly
coaxial and the joint 12 is crushed uniformly between the plug and
the socket (otherwise stated, the surfaces facing the plug at the
socket are perfectly parallel) and this, by virtue of the humps
such as 111, 112 and 211.
Although FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate more particularly the embodiments
of FIGS. 1 and 2 after insertion, one can well imagine equivalent
figures for embodiments of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, as well as for the
other embodiments not shown but mentioned above.
As can also be seen in the figures, the humps can have a slight
bevel, at least on their attack edge, in a manner as so to
facilitate insertion.
Finally, it is clear that each hump can be obtained directly by
molding in the form on an applied appendage. The nature and the
material of the humps depend, of course, on the material
constituting the surfaces of the hump and of the socket on which
they are provided, which can be metallic or synthetic.
It is clear, as previously stated, that the invention relates to a
plurality of types of connectors, with or without sealing joint,
with any number of contacts, etc.
* * * * *